Until recently, models of human information processing focused either on structural stages of information or on regulation of a limited capacity to process information. Capacity was generally a hypothetical variable although a few authors equated capacity with phsiological arousal. Generally, however, energetic (motivational-affective) influences were not well developed. Given this, information processing concepts have had minimal impact on metal health research. Refinements in psychophysiology and a broadening of outlook in cognitive psychology has recently led to models that better integrate cognitive psychology has recently led to models that better integrate cognitive (structural) and energetic function. In the context of such a model, the current proposal examines the integration of cardiovascular functions with different information processes. Information processes can be accessed using reaction time (RT) techniques. The milliseconds time frame of RT has not permitted direct assessment of cardiovascular support during information processing. Recent studies of cardiac cycle time effects show, however, that cardiac responses to an event can be detected in a millisecond time frame. Cardiac cycle time effects refer to changes in physiological response induced by placing events at different times relative to the P wave of the electrocardiogram. In this competing renewal (MH 40418), we propose to determine which of several response processes implicated in our earlier work control cardiac deceleration, whether perceptual factors can control deceleration when motor demands are minimized, and whether vascular changes are related more to central motor control than to peripheral motor activity. Finally, we shall determine how a performance contingent punishment alters the cognitive-energetic interaction. The results will establish the degree to which cardiovascular support is an integral part of certain information processes, and will have application to the understanding of deficits in cognitive-energetic function seen in attentional dysfunction, certain aspects of adult mental illness, and coping with stress in normal individuals.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37MH040418-08
Application #
3486738
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Project Start
1985-05-01
Project End
1995-04-30
Budget Start
1992-05-01
Budget End
1993-04-30
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053785812
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Jennings, J R; Monk, T H; van der Molen, M W (2003) Sleep deprivation influences some but not all processes of supervisory attention. Psychol Sci 14:473-9
Jennings, J Richard; van der Molen, Maurits W; Debski, Kay (2003) Mental rotation delays the heart beat: probing the central processing bottleneck. Psychophysiology 40:666-74
Jennings, J Richard; van der Molen, Maurits W (2002) Cardiac timing and the central regulation of action. Psychol Res 66:337-49
Jennings, J Richard; van der Molen, Maurits W; Debski, Kay B (2002) Probing the response selection bottleneck with a cardiac measure: individual differences in strategy for a psychological refractory period task. Biol Psychol 59:207-30
Jennings, J Richard; van der Molen, Maurits W; Somsen, Riek J M et al. (2002) Vagal function in health and disease: studies in Pittsburgh. Physiol Behav 77:693-8
van der Molen, M W (2000) Developmental changes in inhibitory processing: evidence from psychophysiological measures. Biol Psychol 54:207-39
Jennings, J R; van der Molen, M W; Somsen, R J (1998) Changes in heart beat timing: reactivity, resetting, or perturbation? Biol Psychol 47:227-41
Jennings, J R; van der Molen, M W; Steinhauer, S R (1998) Preparing the heart, eye, and brain: foreperiod length effects in a nonaging paradigm. Psychophysiology 35:90-8
Jennings, J R; McKnight, J D; van der Molen, M (1996) Phase-sensitive interaction of cardiac and respiratory timing in humans. Psychophysiology 33:514-21
Jennings, J R; van der Molen, M W; Brock, K et al. (1993) How are tonic and phasic cardiovascular changes related to central motor command? Biol Psychol 35:237-54

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